The Light And Shadow Chronicles - Books 1-3

Book summary

Traverse through realms of war, rivalry, and destiny with D.M. Cain's fantasy series. Engage in intense warrior rivalries, explore the mischief and maturation of a young soldier-prince, and follow a reluctant royal's endeavor to champion the overlooked. Across each tale, characters grapple with alliances, prophecies, and moralities, enveloping readers in a vibrant yet conflict-ridden universe where Light and Darkness perpetually clash.

Excerpt from The Light And Shadow Chronicles - Books 1-3

“I’M VERY DISAPPOINTED in you,” Vincent Wilder said in a bitter voice and stared coldly at Anathema. Belkeep, the capital city of Meraxor, was cool in the dwindling afternoon sun, but the demons’ presence warmed up the reception hall where Vincent had called them for a lecture.

The immense castle lay in the centre of the nation of Meraxor, all other buildings built in concentric circles around it.

The castle had been painstakingly built by slaves from the villages the Brotherhood had conquered, many of whom died building it. But the results were impressive—a huge wooden castle, reinforced with iron girders and covered in handcrafted golden leaves. When the sun shone on the castle of Belkeep, a thousand beams of golden rain glittered over the nation.

Eight turrets reached into the air, their points far beyond the height of any building on the planet. From the colossal tip of each turret, a flag blew in the cool Meraxan wind: the Brotherhood’s emblem—a golden phoenix encased in orange flame. The symbol was beautifully designed, intricate and detailed, a rallying point for every Brotherhood member. Yet to those who stood in the Brotherhood’s way, the phoenix and flame were a source of terror and all who saw them fled upon sight.

The imposing arched ceilings of the castle were breathtaking, designed to intimidate visitors. At the top of the chamber, Vincent sat on the grand iron throne, watching Anathema closely.

Vincent’s deep, booming voice echoed around the mahogany room. “I was assured you could change forms at will, but Phantom came to me this morning with the worrying news that you got stuck in demon form.”

“I didn’t get stuck,” Anathema spat. “It just took time to return, that’s all. I was enjoying being able to stretch my wings. Being human makes me feel sick. I wanted to be my proper self again.”

Vincent’s black eyes narrowed. “I don’t care what you wanted, and it wasn’t that you didn’t want to turn back, it’s that you couldn’t. What good are you if you can’t use your disguise?”

Anathema glared at Vincent with such intensity that he thought he might actually feel his malice, but Vincent remained solid, his own eyes returning Anathema’s ferociousness. Vincent’s foot tapped, sending echoes through the wooden floorboards. Nightingale floorboards they were called, as they made a peculiar chirruping when stepped upon. It was impossible for people to enter Vincent’s palace without him knowing, and this gave him power over everybody who stepped through his gates. It was a symbol of his authority and he played upon that power, making each board squeak slightly as he tapped his foot up and down.

Anathema ignored the tactics that he knew were intended to throw him off balance. “I can switch forms, you know I can. I just need more practice.”

“There’s no more time for that,” Vincent snapped. “I’m supposed to be sending you out for the first time next week. You have to be perfect. One glitch in our forces and the Children of Light will rip us to shreds.”

“That won’t happen. They’re only human. They’re no match for me.”

“Phantom thinks otherwise.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“I was concerned about your progress, so I asked Phantom to give me regular updates. He’s been very disappointed. With so many demons to choose from, you’re lucky to have been released from Hell at all. And this is how you choose to thank us? We gave you the entire town of Vermidor for your training, a whole settlement of families to do with as you wished, but still you disappoint me. Frankly, if it weren’t for your remarkable skills when you do transform, I’d have you sent back down immediately. There are plenty of others in Hell waiting to take your place.”

Anathema clenched his fists, rage and hatred bubbling up within him. He ran his eyes over Vincent’s sharp features and pushed down a desire to crush the man’s skull. One simple movement and his head could be reduced to pulp, splattered across the floor he loved so much. But Anathema would be dragged back to Hell immediately. In some ways, it would be good to get away from the Human Realm, to be back in his true body where he really belonged, but he knew he couldn’t cope with that any more. Like all demons, all he really wanted was to kill, to maim, to destroy. In Hell there was nothing to destroy. To be allowed up to the Human Realm was a delight because there was so much that could be killed, and with everything he destroyed, he became a little stronger.

Anathema couldn’t afford to anger Vincent because he would never be allowed up to the Human Realm again. Vincent, and his elusive adviser the Bavelize, held his contract. Without them, he would immediately descend back to Hell, to spend eternity in the dark depths of that fiery kingdom. No, he couldn’t take that, no matter how humiliating it was to take orders from the human. So, he bit his lip and gave no response.

Vincent continued, “And don’t go thinking they have nothing that can defeat you. The Children of Light have some very tough fighters. Callista could defeat you in human form, and though she might not be able to kill you, she could put you out of action for a long time if she got near your wings. So don’t get the idea that you’re invincible.”

“Look, you hired me to kill the Children of Light, so that’s what I’ll do. Just let me at them and watch the carnage unfold.”

Vincent fixed him in a serious stare, his black eyes boring into Anathema’s. “You are not in any position to be giving orders. I don’t trust you, and I won’t have someone out there whom I don’t trust. You’ll be staying here next week. I’m sending Malla instead.”

“Malla? Why? She’s useless. She doesn’t even fight! What good is she on a battlefield?”

“Considerably better than you. Don’t forget that the Children of Light have no idea we’ve even got demons fighting for us yet. It needs to be kept quiet until we can use that surprise to our advantage. You can’t even switch to your disguise properly. That’s no good at all. Whereas Malla’s unique ability renders a form change redundant anyway. She’s taking your place.”

Anathema hissed at Vincent, but despite the strong urge to kill, he knew there was nothing he could do.

“Now, go and get Phantom and tell him to come to me. I need to discuss tactics with him.”

“And what am I supposed to do this week if I’m not on mission and my mentor’s away?”

“I really don’t care, but if I were you, I’d work on my transformation, just in case I change my mind about keeping you on at all.”

***

“Did you want to see me?” Phantom barked, as he marched into the reception hall, his feet squeaking on the nightingale flooring.

“Yes, I did want to see you.” Vincent’s response was clipped, a cold stare fixed upon the demon’s face.

“Well?” Phantom snapped.

“It’s time to dispatch the demons.” Vincent’s deep, steady voice matched his cold, calculating eyes.

“Excellent,” Phantom replied with a wide smile “Where will we go first?”

“You’ll be sent to the neutral lands of Terralia. There isn’t much there anymore, but there may be a few settlements in the west that the Children of Light haven’t indoctrinated.”

“And if we find an unaffiliated village, our orders are…?”

“Wipe it out. Immediately.”

A cruel grin broke out on Phantom’s lips. “All of us?”

“No. I will just send you and Malla. Anubis and Anathema will stay here.”

Phantom frowned. “Why just us two?”

“This needs to be discreet. It’s not an all-out attack—I’m saving that until we are fully ready. It has to be a quiet operation, and you can transform well, which is essential at this time. Malla’s ability to cast illusions will help to keep your identity a secret. Anubis is unpredictable and Anathema, despite his extensive training, still can’t get it right. I can’t risk sending him yet. If the Children of Light learn of your existence, they will counter very quickly and call upon the angels. Our advantage will be squandered. Anathema is a risk we just cannot take.”

“I agree. He has been a bitter disappointment. There are so many other demons that have better control than him. Why don’t you let me send him back and get somebody new?”

“No,” Vincent added hastily. “He just needs more time to work on his transformation. Everything else about him is perfect. His skills in demon form are remarkable. His callousness, the vicious desire to slaughter all in his path. He is perfect for the task I have set for him.”

“But any demon will fight and kill for you. His attitude is bad, and his skill is mediocre at best.” Phantom’s lip curled with distaste.

“No. My mind is made up. I don’t want somebody to simply kill. If it were as easy as that, I’d hire anybody. But this is the Children of Light, and because of our history, I don’t just want them dead. I want them destroyed physically and emotionally. Only then will Callista come to me, as she is destined to do. She won’t join me until her spirit is broken. Anathema’s methods of dealing pain and anguish are exactly what I hired him for. Once he gets his transformation right, he will be the ideal weapon with which to defeat the Children of Light. The tides are turning, Phantom. It will soon be our turn to rule the world. Meraxor and Alcherys united under the rule of the phoenix and flame.”